I’d have tried to work a few Hispanics into the crowd McClintock is addressing in his new ad, but even at that the ad seems a success–stirring, dramatic, and entirely to the point. The trouble? McClintock only has enough dough to air the ad a few times in modest markets such as Bakersfield and Modesto. San Diego? LA? Not a chance.

I’m still convinced that by remaining in the race McClintock is forcing Arnold to take the conservative base a lot more seriously than he would otherwise, and there are some signs that McClintock is gaining on Arnold. But slowly–oh, so very slowly.

With five weeks to go, my head says Arnold’s the one–but my heart belongs to Tom.